Electrolux Home Products

OVERALL

Owned

SWE

Rating

Household appliances

Electolux, the world's largest household appliance manufacturer, bought Australian company Simpson in 2001. Electrolux operates 4 manufacturing plants in Adelaide and one each in Sydney and Christchurch (NZ). Some products are imported from overseas. Brands include Westinghouse, Simpson, Hoover, Electrolux, Chef, Dishlex and Kelvinator.

CDP's 2016 report "Out of the starting blocks" reveals which companies around the world are doing the most to combat climate change. This company is included on the A List.[Source 2016][More on Climate Change]

This company was awarded the 'Industry Leader' in the Household Durables category of the 2016 RobecoSAM Sustainability Yearbook. The index is based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labor practices.[Source 2016][More on Sustainability Reporting]

In conjunction with a settlement potentially worth as much as $20 million, plaintiffs lawyers in class litigation against Electrolux over allegedly faulty ice makers have been awarded $2.75 million in fees. The matter was heard in a US District court in 2016, and was a consolidation of five separate class suits. Electrolux also settled a class action in 2014 over defective dryers, paying up to $8 million in attorneys' fees and up to $1,300 per fire.[Source 2016][More on Finance]

As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.[Source 2017][More on Climate Change]

This company is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative), which helps companies address conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. The RMI provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. Membership is open to companies that use or transact in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold (3TG). Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative.[Source 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]

California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.[Source 2017][More on Human Rights]